003
One of the thugs kicked the carriage and the already broken carriage splintered, with broken pieces of wood and metal piercing her body.
“Come here.” He growled and grabbed her, tossing her roughly like a rag doll.
She smacked into a tree and two of her ribs broke. Aurora vomited blood at the impact and fell to the floor.
As she was still groaning, another of the scoundrels kicked her to another one, who stomped hard on her back causing her to scream in agony.
The spot he stepped on was dangerously close to her broken rib, multiplying her pain. Another delivered a vicious kick to her belly, making her groan.
Her eyes had already turned back in her head, on the verge of passing out from the extreme pain. The veins on her forehead were popping out, and her eyes had visible red lines.
Gashes and bumps filled her body and her already destroyed clothes became even dirtier with blood, dried leaves, and dirt.
Her hair was messy, her face was streaked with tears, dirt, and blood. Two lines of blood ran down her face as if she was shedding tears of blood, making for a pathetic sight.
“Blame yourself for being too greedy and getting entangled with someone you shouldn't have, someone you don't deserve.” One of the men said viciously and stomped hard on her chest.
“Now that I look at her properly, she's truly beautiful, despite all the dirt, blood, wounds, and grime matting her body.
No wonder even the untouchable alpha king was enchanted. Her boobs are quite the lookers, the perfect shape. Her body is hot, despite being slender and pathetically frail.” One of the men said and kicked her again, making her face the sky.
“How about we have a quick one with her?” Another suggested.
The one who appeared to be their leader turned, his eyes making it obvious that he was glaring at them.
He pulled out his sword from the chest of the last guard whom he had just slain and wiped the blood away on the dead guard's clothes. All of the guards lay dead, either from a dagger, arrow, or sword stab.
“Ah? Have you gone crazy?” Their leader shouted, turning to them.
“The instruction was to make her suffer before killing her and to dump her body. If any of you dare to rape her, I will kill that person on the spot.
He rejected her a few days ago, but the mate bond is not completely gone. Once you rape her, he's going to feel it and know that something is wrong.
No matter what happened, she used to be the king's woman, mated and marked, most importantly she's the weaker of the two. He's going to know if someone else does that to her.
Do you think he will sit still? He will immediately give chase the moment he realizes it. If you have a death wish, wait till the rest of us get to safety. Then you can do whatever.
We were paid money to do a clean job without traces, not mess it up.” He snarled, scolding them. His voice was surprisingly that of a younger man.
“That's right, if you want a wench, go to the local tavern with your share of the money or grab a maid. Don't do it with that beast's woman. He's possessive.
He might not notice her death but will know when she's being defiled. Till the next full moon erases the blood traces he left in her body completely.”
Another of the men who had remained quiet added, coming towards the rest. He had been quiet during the mission, quickly killing the guards alongside the leader, obviously one of the members with better skills.
“She has been unconscious for some time, deliver the final hit and kick her down to the valley. There's a river down there, the fishes would appreciate her corpse for dinner.”
******
Alpha Rowan was pacing his study, looking very uncomfortable. Andrew walked in at that moment, making him turn around.
“What's Rex saying? Haven't they arrived? It has been a day already.” He growled, punching the wall. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and huffed out a warm breath.
“We just received Alpha Rex's messenger raven. The letter said that they had not arrived yet. He also checked with the two packs before his but they both said that they didn't see the group. The ex-Luna didn't pass through their territories and most certainly didn't didn't get to Alpha Rex.”
“Damn it! Where are they? Where did they disappear to? How can four grown men disappear into the thin air with her? Try to contact them.”
Rowan whispered, looking very disturbed.
“I already did, Your Majesty. I released the secret message code into the sky three times but received no response. I don't think they're in a position to reply to us.” Andrew muttered, making Rowan turn around with a scowl.
“And why are you just telling me now? I will find them myself.” He growled and pushed Andrew away. His wolf was pacing in his mind, longing for his rejected mate and making him even more anxious.
Andrew immediately blocked his way.
“Step aside now,” Rowan growled, his eyes red with fury and veins running across his face, showing his distress.
“Alpha, the agreement with the council was to completely break off ties with her. Your wedding with Maddy will soon be held, you cannot be seen going after your ex at this point.”
“Do I look like I give a fuck? Let go.” But Andrew showed no signs of letting him go.
“There are uprisings and formation of factions. If you want to protect your people and save them from the agony of war you have to sacrifice and marry Maddy.
You do not fear war because we have the resources. But what about the common people, what will they do?
You're almost there, endure for a while till you find the traitors and eliminate the factions. Everyone is watching you, you must keep a good relationship with Maddy.
As for finding the ex Luna, leave it to me. I will go personally, and in four hours you will have an answer. Don't you trust my ability?”
Rowan gritted his teeth and clenched his fists so hard his nails drew blood. He felt like screaming, but there was no strength left in him. Andrew bowed to him and quickly left, signaling the gamma waiting outside to keep an eye on the distressed Rowan.
*****
Andrew returned later at night, his body drenched with water. He looked at Rowan who turned to him the moment he entered the study and immediately averted his eyes.
“Where is she?” In response, Andrew pushed a parcel to him.
“They were attacked by bandits, everyone is dead. The guards were abandoned on the road, while she was thrown into the river.
By the time we arrived, there was nobody left, probably eaten by crocodiles. We only retrieved the jade bracelet you once gave her and some of her torn pieces of clothing.”
Rowan gasped, numerous times, his chest heaving up and down as he tried to control the indescribable pain. He suddenly staggered and collapsed to his knees, holding his chest.